Staph Infection Health Video

Staph infections cover a variety of skin infections, some more dangerous than others. Learn more about staph infection in this health video.

Take Action

Wash with an antibacterial soap
Take special hygienic care
Take oral antibiotics
Seek medical attention

About this Author

Dr. Susan McGladdery is a medical graduate from Oxford University in the UK and has a Master's Degree in Medical Sciences from Cambridge University. She has been a member of the Royal College of Physicians since 1991 and a member of the American Academy of Urgent Care since 2006. She trained as a Family Physician in the UK in Oxford and then in London. In a medical career that spans over 20 years, she has worked as a doctor in 5 countries on 3 continents and cared for patients from a multitude of different nationalities and backgrounds. Dr. McGladdery joined FirstMed Centers in mid 2002 and became Regional Medical Director in 2003.

Dr. SUSAN MCGLADERRY: Hello, my name is Dr. Sue McGladdery. I'm the medical director from First Med Centers in Budapest, Hungary. I'd like to give you some general information about staphylococcal infections. These are caused by a bacterium known as Staphylococcus aureus. It's commonly carried on the skin on the skin and in the nose by healthy people but the when the skin is punctured or broken, the staph bacteria can penetrate the skin and cause problems with infections. For example impetigo, this is a staph infection which commonly occurs around the nose of the mouth that usually affects little kids, preschoolers and school-aged children. It's characterized by large blisters containing fluid that is first clear, then becomes cloudy, and after a while, the blisters burst and there's a honey-colored crust that develops. Another problem due to staph is MRSA or methicillin-resistant staph aureus. This is a staph bacteria that is resistant to the usual antibiotics. Increasingly, we find that this is a big problem in hospitals. Although MRSA infections are harder to treat, mostly, they will eventually heal with proper care. Generally, they involve the skin, but rarely they may cause infections of the bone or even a pneumonia. Another problem due to staph is scalded skin syndrome. This affects newborns and children under the age of 5. Usually, it starts with a localized area of staph skin infection. The staph bacteria then makes a toxin that affects the skin all over the body. It causes a fever and rash and sometimes blisters formed which burst leaving a large red, raw area of burn skin. This is a very serious illness that needs to be treated and monitored in a hospital. Fortunately, most children recovered fully after treatment. So what is the general treatment for staph infection. In the case of a localized staph skin infection, it can be treated by washing the skin with an anti-bacterial cleanser, warm soap, and then some topical antibiotic ointment. You can cover with a clean dressing and takes special care with general hygiene. Sometimes an oral antibiotic is also needed and as I have mentioned already for those more serious staph infections, hospitalization maybe required. You should call your doctor if your child has red, irritated, or painful skin especially if there's a fever associated or your child looks unwell. Also, it's a good idea to see your doctor if there are skin infections that seem to passing around within the family that may also be a sign of a staph problem.

Staph Infection Health Video

Take Action

About this Author

Member Comments